Biz Beat 9-12-2013

Student housing projects are rising all over Eugene, despite predictions of a “higher education bubble” about to pop, and now we hear a major student complex is being contemplated for five acres of commercial-zoned land outside the Springfield city limits on the west end of Glenwood. The property near the Glenwood Boulevard junction is right on an EmX stop along Franklin Boulevard, an easy ride to UO, LCC and NCU. The property also fronts the Willamette River. Trinitas Ventures, LLC of Lafayette, Ind., is entering into preliminary discussions with Springfield planners about annexing land owned by Cochran Family Investments and Skillern Investments, according to Andy Limbird, senior planner for the city. Limbird tells us no designs or other plans have been submitted, but trinitas-ventures.com has photos and architectural drawings of other student projects built by Trinitas. The company says it has about $350 million in student housing assets nationwide and plans to complete another $100 million in projects by this fall. “There’s a lot going on in Glenwood,” says Limbird. The site in question currently has a wood stove store, building supply store and a used car lot.

Springfield will be hopping (and running) all afternoon Friday, Sept. 13, with 5th Street through the Washburne District closing down for the second annual Nick Symmonds 800 road race and community party. An expanded Springfield Farmers Market and food booths will be open Friday afternoon and the race waves begin at 5:45 pm in five categories. Springfield’s Second Friday Artwalk will follow. See Springfield-or.gov for information and a link to race registration.

Coffee Plant Roaster is a new coffee shop at 2836 W. 11th Ave. The business is inviting the public to come down from noon to 1 pm Thursday, Sept. 12, to hear the Jitterbug Vipers, a Texas jazz swing band that will put on a full show at 7:30 pm Thursday at the Jazz Station, 124 W. Broadway. Coffee Plant Roaster sells a variety of organic coffee beans roasted daily on site, along with coffee drinks, juices and organic pastries. Contact Robert Rubin at 968-6089.

Original Grain is a growing new business that specializes in watches made with fine woods and stainless steel. “We are all from the local area, growing up just down the road in Creswell and our president, Ryan Beltran, graduated from UO two years back,” says Jasem Dulany, vice-president. The third partner is A.J. Beltran. Dulany says the business has raised more than $390,000 on Kickstarter and has received licensing from the UO to make watches that will be sold online and at the Duck Store. See photos and more information at originalgrain.com.

September begins Hispanic Heritage Month and the UO will be hosting a free event from 10 am to 2 pm Sunday, Sept. 15, at the soccer fields at the corner of Agate Street and 18th Avenue. Activities include a soccer tournament and match, food, art, live music and dance performances, followed by a free tour of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art. Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and is intended to recognize and celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens who came from Spain and Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Springfield will hold a free El Grito and Mexican Independence Day celebration from 7 to 9 pm Sunday, Sept. 15, at Springfield City Hall Fountain Plaza.

Construction has begun on Crescent Park Senior Living, a new community of 119 apartments at 2951 Coburg Road in north Eugene. The three-story building of 116,000 sq. ft. will employ 55 people, counting both full-time and part-time. Owner is Denver-based Spectrum Retirement Communities, which owns and operates 25 senior living facilities in 11 states. Catamount Construction is the general contractor and Vessel Architecture & Design is the architect. The facility is expected to open in October 2014. For information, visit crescentparkseniorliving.com.

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